ArmInfo. In Armenia in the first half of 2017, the services sector increased volumes by 10.9% per annum to 648.7 billion ($ 1.3 billion), against 8.3% growth a year earlier. According to the National Statistical Service of Armenia, in June alone, the volume of rendered services slowed the growth from 9% to 4.8%, amounting to 122.6 billion ($ 254.7 million).
In the first half of 2017, by the same period in 2016, service in the areas of accommodation for tourists and catering was 18.4% growth from 4.9% decline in the past year, information and communication - from 0.3% Decline in 4.6% growth, administrative and support activities - from a 4.3% decline to 5.2% growth, professional, scientific and technical activities - from a 12.4% decline in 0.9% growth.
The volume of services provided by the healthcare sector accelerated the growth rate from 1.4% to 15%, real estate operations - from 5.2% to 8.9%, the financial sector (including insurance) - from 2.2% to 18.9%. At the same time, services in the spheres of culture, entertainment and leisure, on the contrary, slowed the growth rates from 40.5% to 9.4%, transport from 22.8% to 14.1% and education from 5% to 1.6%.
According to the statistical data, the financial sector is leading by the volume of rendered services - 143 billion (22% of the total volume), with the lion's share on banks. The second place in the volume of services is occupied by the sphere of culture, entertainment and recreation - 122.6 billion (18.9% of the total volume). The third place is occupied by the sphere of information and communication - 109 billion (16.8%), with the main load accounting for the telecommunications segment. The fourth place is occupied by the sphere of transport - 86.7 billion (13.14%). The top five in terms of services provided is the sphere of catering and tourism - 42.7 billion (6.63%).
The average calculated exchange rate of the AMD to the USD was 481.52 AMD/USD1 in June 2017, and 484.57 AMD/USD1 in January-June, against 477.53 AMD/USD1 in June 2016 and 483.86 AMD/USD1 in January-June 2016.